The council approved the request from Mario, president of the Latino Center on Aging, to host an annual conference on Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease at the Roberto Alonso Community Center. The conference, scheduled for May 21, will focus on the needs of the Hispanic community, with collaborative input from the University of Miami’s neurology department. Although the council approved the event, further coordination is required to finalize the conference’s logistical aspects, such as setup requirements and council support. A member emphasized the importance of focusing primarily on Spanish-speaking individuals while providing English summaries, drawing from past experiences where dual-language approaches led to dissatisfaction.

In addition to the conference, the council discussed the partnership proposal from FAU medical students for the “Med Connect” project, aimed at providing educational sessions and social activities for the elderly. The proposal emphasized the importance of tailoring content to the specific interests of attendees, with a focus on technology and health benefits. The council highlighted the need for careful coordination with town officials to ensure compliance with regulations.

Financial concerns and logistical planning were central to discussions on upcoming events, including a senior social and an Easter event. The senior social, scheduled for May 16, was discussed in terms of theme and logistics, with plans for a “sock hop” theme. The council approved a $100 allocation for the Easter event, which would cover expenses like candy and decorations. The Easter social’s centerpiece would feature a bunny surrounded by eggs, with 17 tables set up for the event.

For the senior social, the council faced challenges related to catering and attendance management. With previous bingo events seeing registrations of over 100 people, a suggestion was made to increase the maximum number of attendees to 120 and prepare 140 meals to accommodate potential latecomers. There was a proposal to introduce a nominal charge, such as $5, for attending bingo events to better manage turnout and cover costs. This suggestion was met with mixed reactions, reflecting ongoing concerns about effectively managing event logistics and attendee expectations.

Logistical challenges also extended to the planning of the symphony orchestra concert scheduled for August 16. The council deliberated over the budget, which was set at $5,000 to cover costs, including a $4,850 budget for the orchestra and potential additional costs for piano tuning and refreshments. Ticket sales for the concert were planned to commence on July 7, after the Fourth of July event.

The council addressed the Main Street Live concert series, highlighting a lack of communication from the organizing party, Matthew, leading to uncertainty about the series. With no concert in April due to Good Friday, plans for May 16 and June 20 concerts were on hold pending financial approval from the economic development committee. Additional discussions centered on the stage’s dimensions and its ability to accommodate musical equipment, with specific costs outlined for setup and breakdown.

The meeting also covered the organization of a book talk event featuring Christina Gonzalez, author of “The Red Umbrella.” Discussions focused on the author’s fee, initially quoted at $1,300 but negotiated to $1,000, with concerns about available budget resources. Efforts to secure additional funding from local community members were underway, with commitments from Fred Sender and Vicki Bakery to contribute to the event’s costs. Despite these efforts, further deliberation on financial allocations was deemed necessary to ensure the event’s success.